When the ESL program is compiled with external strings, a resource file ".RC" is created. Before the ESL program is run, the resource file must be converted into a resource DLL.

A linker and a resource compiler are needed to create the resource DLL, see System Requirements.

Resource files that use any extended ASCII characters must be converted to a different character set or code page when a resource DLL is created for deploying on a different operating system or for a language that needs a different code page. See Character Sets.